DTN/The Progressive Farmer: Agriculture Markets, News and Weather

Farm Finance Features


Klinefelter: By the Numbers 8/26/10
Benchmark Your Performance
There's no national standard to gauge farm performance, but don't compare your operation to others at the bottom of the scale, or even the middle. Compare yourself to the best, so you know what to aim for. Compare yourself to top-tier peers -- not the average -- to tweak your farm's financials. In ag, it's not unusual for the top 20 percent to make respectable money when the bottom 20 percent lose it.

The Acreage Race - 1 8/11/10
Clout of $1 Million Farms on the Rise
Joe Nichols of Cadiz, Ky., bought seven new combines this year, along with 18 tractors. He rolls them over annually, claiming a profit on the deal. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer picture by Jim Patrico) Big farms are super sizing. One reason is that machinery and management skills differentiate farmers in the $1 million-and-up sales class.

The Acreage Race - 2 8/12/10
Adopt a Farm Business Code That Makes Landlords Take Notice
When Terry Jones needed more storage, he asked the owners of a local elevator if they thought of selling. "Every day," they said. Jones bought the business. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico) America's biggest crop farms are super sizing. Adopting some key management and mindset practices helped Iowan Terry Jones and his family grow from a 92-acre farm to a multi-million dollar enterprise. In this second part of a series on the acreage race, Jones explains how they do it.

Farmland Stays Recession-Proof 8/12/10
Midwest Land Values Immune to Deflation Woes
Midwest farmland far outpaces returns from Treasuries or stocks, and with less risk of a bubble. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer file photo by Jim Patrico) Land remains a haven for investors appalled by sputtering stock markets and near-zero interest rates on savings.

Ag Interest Rate Snapshot

Thu Sep 2, 2010 07:40 AM CDT

DTN Ag Interest Rate Snapshot

	TODAY	- LAST WEEK
as of:	9/2/10	8/26/10
REAL ESTATE
5-Year Adjustable	4.15	4.10
15-Year Fixed	5.00	4.95
20-Year Fixed	5.30	5.25
10-Yr. Treasury	2.62	2.53

OPERATING
Libor Indexed	3.85	3.85
1-Year Adjustable	4.50	4.55
Variable	3.95	3.95
Prime Rate	3.25	3.25
CCC Loan Rate	1.250	1.250

Until the Federal Reserve reverses course, both long- and short-term farm interest rates remain at historic lows.

Interest rates presented by Farm Credit Services of Mid-America serving farmers in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. Rates change daily, are subject to qualifying conditions and may carry pre-payment restrictions. For details, visit : www.e-farmcredit.com.